Heat guard Josh Richardson’s role should grow after limited time in first game back from injury

Heat guard Josh Richardson drives to the basket during a game against the Clippers this season.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

MIAMI – Josh Richardson played 13 minutes and missed all five of his shots Friday, his first game after sitting 19 because of a sprained left foot.

Coach Erik Spoelstra called that a “positive” and said he will work the second-year guard into the rotation as much as he can.

“Everything is fluid right now,” Spoelstra said before tonight’s game against the Pacers.

“The fact he was in there he was ready that’s a big positive for our basketball team. And we need the depth. (Friday) night was a perfect example. We were going really deep because of foul trouble. It may be fatigue one day. It may be the matchup another day.”

Spoelstra used 11 players in the Heat’s 108-90 victory, with Richardson logging the fewest minutes of them all. Luke Babbitt and James Johnson were in foul trouble, which mean more playing time for Richardson and Okaro White.

Richardson’s minutes certainly will increase and he’ll be part of the regular rotation.

“I’m going to work him in as much as I can and I’m not going to force it if it’s not called,” Spoelstra said.